The Matinee has high hopes for Regina show
Describing what to expect from The Matinee’s upcoming show in Regina, the band’s singer, Matt Layzell, says that, “though people don’t know us yet, hopefully they’ll leave singing our songs.
“We’re the type of band that’s used to playing all night for everybody and used to keeping everybody dancing and singing,” Layzell said. “A lot of sweat and sore hands from clapping is hopefully what we’ll leave people with … And we’ll leave you wanting more, that’s for sure.”
The five members of Vancouver-based The Matinee — Matthew Rose (electric, acoustic and baritone guitars, banjo, mandolin, pedal steel, vocals), Geoff Petrie (electric and acoustic guitars, percussion, vocals), Mike Young (bass and acoustic guitars, keys, percussion, vocals), Peter Lemon (drums, percussion, vocals) and Layzell — are longtime friends and have been playing together for years.
“After years of roadwork and growth, playing everywhere from prisons to air force bases and every watering hole in between, The Matinee has found its niche plowing the middle ground between rural festivals and the urban hipster groundzero of your choice,” their promotional material reads.
“We’ve played country music fests,” Layzell said. “We’ve played at the really hipster bars and summer festivals. We’ve played everywhere.
“It’s a strength that we have,” he continued. “Our music’s pretty accessible and it’s pretty diverse so it appeals to a wide range. If you like catchy choruses and dancing and some good old rock and roll, then you’ll probably enjoy The Matinee.”
The Matinee is currently touring in support of the group’s debut full length album, We Swore We’d See The Sunrise, and stopping in Regina.
“It’s a little bit of a mix of genres,” Layzell said. “It’s a little bit of a mix of old and new, but really, it’s all kind of got our flair for country roots rock, that’s for sure.”
No strangers to the road, it has been a while since the group has toured, between taking time to record the album and waiting for it to be released, Layzell remarked.
“Now that the album’s finally out, we can hit the road, and we’re eager. We’re going to bring the energy, for sure. It’s been a while since we had the pleasure of playing day in and day out,” he said.
The Matinee is looking forward to visiting Regina again, Layzell noted.
“We’ve often said that the Saskatchewan fans and the people we meet there are truly some of the best,” he said.
The first time the group played in Regina, the band they were playing with invited them after the show to a party that went until sunrise, Layzell said, noting that the friendship has continued to this day.
“There’s really a generosity and an openness when playing there. We’ve made some good friends as a result,” he remarked.
“The Saskatchewan crowd definitely likes to party, which kind of goes hand in hand with our music.”
The Matinee plays at The Exchange on March 18 with Electric Six — a band Layzell said is also “high energy.”